Coda.io
This is a tool that lets you manage projects, make documents, spreadsheets, organise data, and collaborate. I like it because it makes decent looking PDFs. I use it to make proposals, invoices, etc., for my clients. I use it for my coaching work, for projects at our school, and to document personal stuff. In fact, I used it to collect my thoughts on books, podcast episodes I loved, etc., so I could write about my 2022 reflections.
MuseScore
This is a music notation app and music community. It is easy to use and the community is active and productive. I use it to arrange everything for the choirs and ensembles at our school, from Christmas carols to ensemble renditions of movie music from Studio Ghibli. If you are looking for some sheet music for beginner level string ensembles, check out my page on musescore: https://musescore.com/user/46728197
Reusable Silicone Magnetic Cable Ties
Working at Apple brainwashed me to be neat and organized. These colorful magnetic ties are wonderfully versatile. I use them to organize cables, clip paper, and tie my daughter’s hair. They are cheap and great.
Drafts
This is my go to writing app. I like it because it is simple. It works well with Apple shortcuts and the Apple Watch, which allowed me to dictate and capture thoughts easily. Most importantly, it supports multiple forms of backups. This became a critical feature because Apple Notes once lost all my writings. iCloud somehow didn’t sync. It was terrible and terrifying.
Multi Sizes Googly Eyes Sticker
They are the best tools to get kids’ attention. Stick a small one on top of a line that you want your musicians to pay attention to. Or put two big ones next to a carelessly painted picture. Or just stick them around the house for a fun treasure hunt game with a bunch of rowdy 4 year olds.
Krisp.ai
This nifty noise removal tool allows me to work from anywhere. I do most of my coaching via Zoom/audio and Krisp.ai was the only tool that could reliably remove ANY background noise. It even tracks how much I speak during a call. I listen better thanks to it.
Midjourney
Generative AI art. I use it to make images for my school posters, LinkedIn posts, presentations. It’s addictive, very capable, and endlessly surprising. Bonus tip: if you are stuck with finding the right ways to instruct the AI, go to prompthunt.com. You can steal from there and that’s the best way to learn how to tame the machines.
LEX.page
AI writing assistant. I use it to help me write. It doesn’t correct what I write, but it generates ideas. It has saved me many times when I was stuck.
Gingher Craft Scissors
My wife is a craftswoman. She sews and knits and crochets expertly. She has a fancy pair of scissors. Once I borrowed it to cut paper. It felt magical. I could not go back ever since.
Fakespot
This is a service that investigates and checks if ratings and comments on Amazon.com are genuine or fake.
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